Friday, December 2, 2016

A good writing rule-of-thumb is to write about what you know, or in my book, what you love.

I love vintage dresses, so I write about them.

I love vintage plaid, like men's plaid shirts.

So, here's a little word about them right now.

See this shirt? I was supposed to sell it. But, a men's vintage small plaid usually means it's my size, so naturally it doesn't make it to the shop. It only makes it as far as my closet.

For all you size small men's vintage plaid, I'm profusely sorry. I'm wearing this shirt right this second, I love it, I get tons of compliments on it, and it's mine. (I'm sorry!!)

Then there's my husband. I bring home vintage Pendleton flannels in wool, and the ones that are his size, end up on his side of the closet. Lucky for MANY of you vintage-men's-large-plaid-flannels wearers, my husband is tall...so he needs longer sleeve, so many a times, these older larges just don't fit.

Then there's my pup, Sierra, who likes to be involved when I take pictures. So, here she is.

But I end up hugging her a thousand times while I'm trying to take the photos, so this is the position I'm in for a large portion of the day. She looks unhappy. I swear she's not.

Or she's doing this. Which is the position she is in the majority of the day.

All this to say, if you're looking for vintage plaid flannel, look no further. I have them. Right here.◄

Thursday, October 27, 2016

I wouldn't be exaggerating if I told you that I'm having a serious love affair with vintage dresses.

I've been in love with them for years, but it has been growing. Big time. And I'm at that point in the story where the two star-crossed lovers have met -- and are still forbidden to meet -- and then meet again --sometimes in secret, sometimes not. (I may or may not secretly thrift shop too, as in "when I'm not supposed to.")

That's how I feel with these dresses.

Finding (thrifting, estate-sale-ing, word-of-mouth or otherwise) a vintage dress (from say the 1930s through the 1960s) is hard enough. But when I find one that fits me? That's practically like wining the lottery.

Twice.

Here's a small sampling of dresses I've found in the last few months that fit. I find plenty that don't fit me and they end up in my Etsy shop, which you can find right here! ◄ When they fit, it's the best!

They don't make dresses quite like these anymore and that's why I'm so in love with them!

-H

**By the way, 15% off Halloween Sale of the entire store now through the 31st! Go there ◄ now, before it's over! **

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

I've talked about this before. How vintage dresses are pretty much the best thing that ever existed.

For years, dresses were kind of a "well, it's not the right occasion," type of thing for me.

Not no more!

All that and some horrid English to tell you that when I find amazing vintage dresses -- which, trust me when I tell you that they're really hard to find -- I'm either selling it to you or keeping it.

Or keeping it and then selling it.

This 60s olive green corduroy dress? Yeah. Just a tad big for me. But, think that's going to stop me from wearing it? Psshh. No way. Once I've loved it some, I may sell it. (Light on the "sell" and heavy on the "may.")

I'm going to switch out this belt -- because it's like the size of Texas-- and wear one of mine, a wide, black leather one along with some oxford flats. Perfect Fall outfit for Cali, and if cooler, add a black turtleneck. I'll have to Instagram that outfit!

And it's vintage new old stock (NOS), never been worn, so I'm pretty partial to wanting to wear it, although that would be the very reason NOT to wear it. But, life's too short for me to give NOS to other people some days. Like today.

Anyway, Fall is in the air. Not literally, but in my head. Kids are back to school, I noticed a crispness to the air this morning during my run: it's close. Closer than it's been since last Fall.

I'm counting down the days to sweaters and boots. And I have a BAZILLION sweaters in my shop, ready to go!

Saturday, June 4, 2016

If only it WAS the return to utilitarian with the hand made, hard-working people that warranted the insurgance of overalls. But unfortunately, it's not. It's just fashion doing its fashion "thing" and coming back into play.

Overalls. They're back. I wore them twenty years ago. And now, though I'm not wearing them, I see them everywhere. There was one pair that I sold a month or so ago that I regret -- every day. It's was a specific vintage brand called Dee Cee. I had them in my hands and I sold them. I mean, they were vintage but slim enough to make me look like I wasn't wearing a garbage bag.

What is wrong with me?

This brand is on eBay so I know I can find them- but I really want to thrift them, the way I found them originally. Thrifted. Worn. Patina'd to perfection.

Meanwhile, if I come across overalls of any kind, I buy them to sell. No questions asked. If I list them, they will sell. In fact, after five years selling vintage, I was trying to figure how many pairs I've sold. Now, I'm not a huge store. I usually have 400 items or so, usually less. But I found a "sold items" list through my stats page and surprised myself.

I've sold over 245 of them. That's insane!

Today's overalls are slimmer, a bit fitted, more streamlined. And I like that because I'm slim and I don't look like I'm drowning in overalls with this cut. But I also don't like them as much because that's not the true vintage style and heritage of overalls. And being that I sell vintage, I'm a stickler for the original.

Doesn't matter, though. Ladies are buying new ones at places like Madewell and Anthropologie and I'm finding -- and selling-- vintage ones, from the 90s and before.

I'm also selling shortalls. Yes. Shorts that are overalls. Remember that awesome 80s name?
Yep. They're amazingly popular. And for good reason. They're darn near perfect for any weather. And you can wear leggings with them in the winter and over a sweater. They're that versatile.

All. Year. 'Round.

Here's a sample of overalls and shortalls that I'm selling right now! Or you can click here ◄ for my entire overall inventory. Ones like these:

Now, I'm going to go paint some fences and building something ... oh and gather the eggs and pick some early summer squash. Because THAT, my friends, is the utilitarian heritage of overalls.

And I'm not the only one who has a thing for mugs. Sometimes, you find THE one that fits perfectly to your lips, makes the coffee (or tea) taste better, and you wouldn't trade it for any other.

I feel this way about Fireking.

When I hop into thrift stores to find vintage clothing, a couple times a week, I inevitably meander over to the mugs.

Okay, the mug section of all thrift stores are hilarious. You have the outcast mugs, the ones maybe only one person wants, the ones that are chipped, the ones that are cracked, the mug from the trip to Arizona, the mug from Disney World. The hand made mugs to the cheap, ugly-as-heck mugs.

The mugs from Pottery Barn, to the mugs from Target. I've seen them all.

But, these vintage 70s and 80s etched ones, or the pottery ones, are what get me. I sell them in my shop. But as of late, I end up picking them up for myself. And sneak them into my overflowing cupboard.

I know my husband has found it when he says, "When did we get this one?" Actually, he's stopped saying that. And for good reason.

It'll never end.

This is kind of how my week goes with my mug problem ...

"Oh look, I just sold this one today!" (I did.)

"Oh look, I just picked this up today!" (I did)

"Oh look, this is what I picked up yesterday!" (OMG, I did!)

This is my favorite shelf in my cupboard -- the top shelf, shelf. Yeah, those mugs are that special. Away from the kids, away from flying food, away from me, even. I mean, I can barely reach them.

The wine glasses are up there, too. Kind of an important shelf.

But geez, I love them (mugs and wine glasses.) I may or may not sell the ones I found today... crap.

I have a few left in my shop here ◄ Only a few, because I haven't replenished...

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Okay, so I talk frequently about my love for Pendleton, more specifically, vintage Pendleton.

There's a reason or two for this.

1. Pendleton is one of the best quality outdoors-wear clothes maker. And have been and will (hopefully) always will be. (I do have issues with their "assembly in Mexico" now rather than USA made -- which leads me to 2.)

2. Vintage Pendleton is made better than new. I know others may disagree. But after years of buying and selling vintage Pendleton, I'm sorry... there's no debate. They're made with better quality materials and are simply manufactured in a far better manner.

3. Men's vintage small Pendleton fit me like a glove. But over the almost six years of selling them, you know how many "smalls" I've come across? Maybe two. The one I'm wearing in the pictures (and am keeping) is one of two.

I have a theory as to why I don't find small ... all the wives/girlfriends of husband/boyfriends who own Pendleton STEAL them for themselves. This is an obvious conclusion.

Has to be the reason. I mean, they fit so well.

Enjoyed my time in the Tahoe snow! I have some Pendletons still in the shop ◄ despite Spring approaching. They'll be gone soon though so get 'em while you can!

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Okay ... so in a few posts back, I told you that I was years late (like nine) to the Mad Men craziness.

Man, did I miss out! Okay. Not really. But, I was slightly delayed in my love for the series.

I was able to watch 92 episodes within a month. Now, I know that's not a crazy-marathon-Mad-Men watching extravaganza. Crazy would be 92 episodes in like three days.

But for me and my schedule (kids, work, more work, house, dog, watching the series when my husband isn't home) this is like superwoman speed.

A few things I observed:

1. There's a reason why I sell vintage. It's incredible. And when the whole set is set in decade- appropriate everything, it's almost too much to take in for a vintager like myself (who happens to favor the 60s). Holy Wow.

2. You would thinkthis series is about Don Draper (actor John Hamm- AMAZING actor.) It's not. I know, I know. He is the main protagonist. You love him, then hate him, then love him again. But no. This series is really aboutPeggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss, INCREDIBLE actress!)

Think of it this way: You know how the story Peter Pan is about Peter Pan? Okay. Yeah. The title says it all, right? I mean Wendy, the boys, the Lost Boys and Captain Hook. But Peter Pan isn't really about Peter. It's about Wendy. It's about her love, fears, and everything in between.

Think of Mad Men in the same vein. It could've been called Don Draper. It should have, really. And Peggy is truly central to the story. Yes, it's about Don's life, and the demons he battles, but it's also and mostly about Peggy, her loves, fears ... and everything else in between.

3. They drink a lot. Like, a lot a lot. They all should have had liver failure and died by episode 23.

4. They smoke a lot. Like, a lot a lot. So much that by the end of the series, it seemed fitting that I take up this ghastly habit. But I didn't. And you shouldn't. Just don't. It's gross and it'll kill you. Leave that well enough of alone and instead do some deep-breathing without a cigarette in your mouth.

5. Character Joan Harris (Christian Hendricks- HOLY MOLY is she amazing) is the bomb. Well, she's a bombshell and the bomb. I loved her hair. I loved her wardrobe the best. I loved her one-liners. Heck. I loved her bosom, too! She's an incredible character.

6. This little bag I sold via my Etsy shop to Season Four of Mad Men! It's too bad I didn't see it in the show, though. Perhaps they decided it didn't go well enough with Joan's dress. Regardless, I was stoked to sell something to the series!

7. The lives of these people aren't lives I would ever want to live. It's sad. I mean, people loved the show! Went crazy for it. And perhaps, it's that so many people identify with struggling with "life issues," and love watching amazing characters and incredible sets and wardrobes. I understand that. But, it more or less depressed me. Don Draper had about fifty thousand chances to make his life right.

But he couldn't do it. He wouldn't do it.

Don't be like Don. Be like Peggy. Be like Peggy who tried to choose well, all the time. Even when it hurt her.

I still love the series for the theme, despite my few criticisms. I'd recommend it, too. But be prepared to ponder the show after you watch a few episodes. It makes you think!

By the way, I drink from -- almost every morning -- this 60s Fireking cup. Imagine my delight when I saw the same cup (ABC logo) on the television?

Monday, February 1, 2016

There is a trick to wearing vintage. And perhaps there's more than one trick.
But here's the main one...

if the vintage piece is a bit more "decade obvious," keep it minimal so that you don't look like you're going to a costume party, or that perhaps you missed Halloween and are now making up for it.

Granted, if the vintage you're wearing is a classic, then you'll never look like you are wearing a costume. Which is main reason I love "classic" style. It's traditional (see that word "tradition"), which
means it's not trendy.

This outfit -- all of it except the skirt (and watch) -- is new. The one piece that is vintage is the center of attention. Which it should be! But, again. I'm not even adding a vintage purse (which I could and have). But I wore my Tory Burch with it and it all worked out dandy.

The skirt is a wool-blend, 1960s mid-length wiggle skirt. The gathering in the back is incredible. And that says it all, which means I don't need to add a vintage hat, or top, or even vintage shoes. (Though the ones I'm wearing are vintage-inspired and my watch is a vintage 60s, Omega).

You could absolutely wear all vintage and it would look amazing. But, by only wearing ONE vintage item, it makes people think twice about what you have on. "Is that vintage? Or does it just look like it? And where did she get that?"

If you can make people contemplate longer than two seconds on your outfit = mission accomplished.

I try to incorporate vintage into what I'm wearing daily. Always. There's something about it that adds a punch of "wow" to the modern-day outfit and it is definitely something that no one else will be wearing.

Get your vintage on!

Heather

Welcome friends. I hail from Northern California where I'm in love with vintage, fashion, writing, and the simple life. My family keep me the busiest. But by the grace of God (and buckets of coffee -- like above ↑), anything is possible. Thanks for stopping by!